Every week there are dozens of new and exciting pieces of gear. But are they actually worth buying? Trust the team at Cool Material to help you find the latest and greatest releases in a recurring column: What We’re Buying.
Dos Hombres Espadin Mezcal
“I have been on a Mezcal kick lately, a nice departure from my usual single malt and bourbon. Dos Hombres Espadin Mezcal comes from the Breaking Bad duo of Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. It is, surprisingly, not one bit gimmicky. The 100% Espadin Agave comes from a small village in Oaxaca, and its both mildly fragrant as velvety smooth going down. The apple, mango, and zapote fruit notes come through, as well as a bit of smokiness for great complexity without interrupting the sheer drinkability. I am halfway through the bottle and trying desperately to make it last.” Buy: $65
– Amos Kwon, Auto/Watches Editor
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Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones
“Having recently purchased a wireless Marshall speaker for the living room, I wanted to give my neighbors a break from some of my nighttime rock sessions and so I began looking into the world of noise cancelling headphones. In the market for something simple and comfortable that sounded good without breaking the bank, I settled on this pair from Sony and haven’t looked back. While the headset controls could have been designed in a slightly more intuitive fashion (my one minor gripe), these bad boys do what they’re designed to with a more than decent battery life and a hard-to-find-fault-with sound. I’d be surprised if a much better pair is out there for under $100.” Buy: $98
– Jay Gentile, Sales Director
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Flint Lint Roller
“I know it’s not a particularly sexy pick but I recently stocked up on my favorite lint roller. Flint makes handy, travel-sized, beautifully-designed lint rollers. Once you buy the roller itself, you’ll just need to swap in refills whenever you need them. Lint rollers are one of those products that are always useful but so rarely there when you need them. But, if you get the Flint, you can always look clean and fresh.” Buy: $9
– John A. Paradiso, Managing Editor
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Atreyu Running Company The Artist
“As both a runner and a new Austinite, I have been instantly taken by the city’s thriving running community. No better exemplified than by the quality and affordability of the Austin-based running company Atreyu. Offering a sleek selection of minimal shoes and gear, Atreyu has quickly become a new favorite of mine as I marathon train. The Artist is perfect for any runner looking for the carbon-plated abilities of a Nike racing flat but without that infamous Vaporfly price tag. Pick up a pair and start your New Year’s resolutions today!” Buy: $80
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Duchamp: A Biography
“I’m heading to Mexico next week for a much needed break from work and the cold weather. The plan is to unwind poolside, in the sun, with a sketchpad, cheap beers, and a good book. That means endless Coronas and this Duchamp bio. Urinals everywhere! I’ve been looking for a biography to read on an interesting creative and was excited to find this one recommended on an art site I follow. Prospero Año Nuevo.” Buy: $20
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Mucha Carne Seikatsu Kimono
“Now, I know what you’re thinking: I don’t seem much like a kimono kind of guy. And you’re be right in thinking that. But there’s something about Mucha Carne’s Seikatsu Kimono that I’m drawn to. Maybe it’s because of the brand philosophy of combining art, philosophy, and psychedelics. Or maybe it’s because I can easily see myself throwing on a pair of their black pants and calling it a uniform. Either way, this jacket seems just sleek enough to feel like I’m dressing up, without having to put in too much effort.” Buy: $210
– Brett Braley-Palko, Style Editor
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Fulton & Roark Sterling Solid Cologne
“I just might be done with body sprays and traditional fragrances. I had never used solid colognes until I grabbed Fulton & Roark. First of all, it doesn’t go on wet, so there’s no miscalculated spray that launches into my mouth. The fragrant wax dispenses from the beautiful and slim metal case, and you can apply it with great specificity. I even brought it with me in my pants pocket for a quick reapplication as the evening progressed late. Sterling’s tobacco, leather, and vanilla scents were just right on a chilly evening, and the aroma garnered a few compliments and never smacked anyone in the olfactories.” Buy: $60
– Amos Kwon, Auto/Watches Editor
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Baked Bags Detla 8 Edibles
“At the end of a long day, I like to unwind with an edible. I find that it helps wipe away the stress so I can actually relax for an hour or two before bed. The problem is, I generally don’t like gummies (medicated or not) and most straight up taste bad if I am being honest. I usually find myself cutting them up and swallowing them like pills. These little waffle cones stuffed with chocolate actually taste good, plus they made perfect gifts for a couple of people on my list this year.” Buy: $25
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High Standards
“For me, the colder months signal it’s time to bring out the card games and the board games. And while adding cannabis into the mix to just about any game can make it more interesting, I recently dabbled in a cannabis-themed game for the first time with the aptly named High Standards from Weedmaps and Fitz Games. It’s fast paced and new enough to stay interesting through multiple plays, has enough recognizable formats to be easy to pick up (hello, truth or dare), and is just the right difficulty to be playable whether you’re on your first joint or second edible.” Buy: $19
– Nickolaus Hines, Features Editor
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